Zombie knives: Government announces third crackdown since 2016

The government is further clamping down on zombie-style knives by closing what it describes as a legal loophole.

Previous attempts to ban the weapons defined them as having a cutting or serrated edge and "images or words that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence".

But the new law will also ban zombie knives with no threatening words or images, the Home Office said.

This is the government's third attempt at banning the weapons since 2016.

A new definition was added in 2019 covering "cyclone knives", with two spiralled blades.

The new rules are being introduced to Parliament on Thursday, although they will not take effect until September.

Actor Idris Elba is among those who have called for the government to immediately ban the sale of zombie knives and machetes. He has accused the government of not giving the issue "the focus it deserves".

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "When I became home secretary, I made an immediate decision to go further - to put forward this secondary legislation to support what we've already done to make possession of zombie knives illegal and to close this loophole."

Amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill will also:

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Policing Minister Chris Philp said the new law would cover zombie-style knives and machetes that were not covered by the previous legislation.

"It would be illegal to import, to sell or to possess - even in private, like your house - the knives that are being banned today," he said.

He added that, from April, police will also increase "hotspot" patrols in areas where they believe there is a high risk of knife crime.

He also said the government hopes to introduce technology in 2025 that will scan people for knives in public places.

Meanwhile, Labour is focusing on a programme of action plans for young people caught with a knife, which could see them subject to curfews, tagging or behavioural contracts. The party first made this announcement at their conference in the autumn.

The Young Futures programme will spend £100m a year on new youth workers in accident-and-emergency departments and community mental-health hubs.

Labour has published a statement of support for its plan from several major charities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the Scout Association and Girlguiding UK.

At a speech in Milton Keynes, leader Keir Starmer said: "Too many young people are being drawn into squandering their life chances by getting involved in crime.

"Labour will turn this around. We will give young people real support to achieve their potential and stay on track but flout that chance, and they'll feel the full force of the law."

In the year ending March 2023, there were just over 19,000 cautions and convictions for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in England and Wales.

And in about 18% of cases, the offenders were aged 10-17.